Hi all! I have an '82 Mercedes 300 SD that currently runs on 195/70-14" tires. I just bought a set of 16" AMG replica's (with a 35 mm offset) that are 7.5" wide. Now I was wondering what size tire I should use with these rims? My current 195/70-14" currently look TINY on my car, as the wheel well gap must be close to 2.5"!! So I was wondering what is the biggest size tire I can upgrade to, in terms of diameter (most important) and width. My car doesn't have ABS or any advanced equipment, but besides an inaccuracy of my speedo, would I expect any other affects with an increase in rolling diameter? And would I have to worry about rubbing with an increase in diameter?

Also, on a totally different topic, has anybody ever installed an aerodynamics kit themselves before? Adsit Co. currently has a clearance on their kits, and I was just wondering if anybody has had any experience with it.

Thanks in advace!

Alvin.

Sounds like 225/50-16 is the way to go, or perhaps 205/55. Have one mounted and check it front and rear for clearance. I really don't think I'd want to go any taller than either of these sizes, because then you're likely begging for a rub. Good luck!



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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

Alvin

Bad news. Your AMG replica wheels with ET35 will not fit the car. You will have interference between the wheels and the tie rods, and possibly set too far in for the rear. The correct offset is ET25 for 7.5 X 16. Also, the W126 has very tall front grease caps (58mm), it will sticks out the center hole of your wheels. Your wheels are designed for the 300E with short caps.

As for tire sizes, 225/50-16 is a perfect fit. Good luck.

Hey TommyMB,
As for the rim not fitting, I asked the TireRack if a 35 mm offset would fit on my car and they said it would. I also had my mechanic mount a rim on the left front and he said that it looked like it'd fit fine (that was without a tire on the rim and without a center cap on). I didn't try driving the car with the rim on though; but you think I'll have problems with it when I do?

Alvin

Did your mechanic check the clearance on the inside flange of the wheel against where the tie rod attached to the steering knucle? You don't need a tire on the wheel for this.

I have 8 X 16 with ET24 (4.95" back spacing) on mine and it has may be 0.2" clearance. Your 7.5 X 16 with ET35 (5.13 back spacing) may not have enough clearance. You need some clearance to allow for suspension flexing under load.

Hey TommyMB,
I just checked out my rims again and realized that they're 16" x 8.5" (not 7.5") with a ET 35mm. Does that make a difference? And no my mechanic didn't check the rim under load, but with the left front off the ground he said that there was clearance all around and that he thought that it'd fit fine.

Alvin.

Alvin

Your 8.5" ET35 wheels will not fit. You can verify that by putting the wheel on yourself and tighen the bolts. I think it will hit the tie rod. Good luck.

I will be gone for a few days so I won't be able to answer anymore questions until 12/30.

is there an answer yet?
 

Well I have a chance to buy a set of these rims...

These rims are brand new. They were never installed.
Will fit C-class 1996 to 2000. 15in X 7 (see photo) will they work on my 86 420sel??? I need to know ASAP...